COMMON
LICHEN S
OF
CYPRESS HILLS
IN TERPROVIN CIAL PARK
Saskatchew an, Canada
A
FIELD
GUID E
Bernard de Vries
Irma de Vries
Photography © Bernard de Vries
Posted/Compiled by: Steve Porter
Conservation Data Centre
Fish & Wildlife Branch
Ministry of Environment, 2008
SKCDC Technical Report No. 7
Cont ent s
Introduction .................................................................................................. 3
Growth Forms............................................................................................... 3
Reproduction ................................................................................................ 3
Colour ........................................................................................................... 3
Physiology .................................................................................................... 4
Where Lichens Grow On.............................................................................. 4
Lichen Studies .............................................................................................. 4
Protection...................................................................................................... 4
Location of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park............................................ 5
Common Lichens of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
Bryoria simplicior- Spangled horsehair .......................................... 6
Cetraria ericetorum- Iceland moss ................................................. 7
Cladina mitis- Yellow reindeer lichen............................................. 8
Evernia mesomorpha- Boreal oak moss ......................................... 9
Hypogymnia physodes- Monk’s-hood lichen ................................. 10
Melanelia exasperatula- Lustrous brown........................................ 11
Parmelia sulcata- Hammered shield lichen..................................... 12
Peltigera praetextata- Scale dog-lichen.......................................... 13
Peltigera refastens- Field-dog lichen .............................................. 14
Physcia aipolia- Hoary rosette lichen .............................................. 15
Stereocaulon tomentosum- Woolly coral ....................................... 16
Usnea substerilis- Embossed beard ................................................. 17
Vulpicida pinastri- Powdered sunshine lichen................................ 18
Xanthoria elegans- Elegant sunburst lichen ................................... 19
Literture Cited ............................................................................................. 20
General References ...................................................................................... 21
Glossary ....................................................................................................... 22
Acknowledgements ..................................................................................... 24
Lichen Skills Ratings ................................................................................... 24
2
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Introduction
This field guide was written as an introduction to the fascinating world of lichens, many of you might
have seen as colourful splashes on rock or pendent from tree branches, but did not know what they were.
To most of us, our attention and admiration is drawn to the many colourful plants Cypress Hills Park has
in plenty; but lichens remain somewhat of a mystery; lacking flowers, leaves and roots, or any form of
visible fruits, although the vivid colour of some attracts our attention. Lichen are able to survive in what
appears to us as unusual places, such as dry needle groundcover, tree bark, bare branches or twigs, and
open rock (conglomerates). Although some branches and twigs upon which lichen grow are dead, these,
were not killed by lichens. Lichens dislike competition of other organisms as these deprive them of
needed sunlight and moisture to obtain nutrients. Once competition is removed by natural means,
lichens will rapidly colonize such bare areas.
Although this guide was written for use in Cypress Hills Park, it is also useful in the boreal forest, as
many lichens discussed in the guide can be found there as well. The reason being that certain vegetation
elements in the Park belong to the Temperate, as well as the Western Montane Geographic Distribution
Pattern. (Brodo at al. 2001), occurring in all ecoregions and ecozones of Saskatchewan.
The 14 lichen species are alphabetically arranged by genus, with the authority for each. Included are
known common name(s) and synonym(s). There are notes on where the species is found within the
park; the occurrence; geographic distribution; type of growth form; a detailed description; and
illustrations with a colour photo and insets to bring out important details of certain species, which will
help in identifying lichens in the field.
The comment section gives information on similar related species; uses by First Nation People; plant
lore and plant deviation (Johnson et al.1995). The text is mostly non-technical with English wording.
Technical equivalents are listed in the glossary.
It is hoped that this guide will be of help to the naturalist and anyone interested to learn more about
lichens and their importance in the various ecosystems of this park.
Growth Forms
Lichens show many growth forms. These are recognized as Foliose (leaf-like), Fruticose (bushy or
upright with many stems, pendent or mat-forming), and Crustose (forming a crust over the surface they
grow on). Tree bark and rocks often show this form. Another growth form is Squamulose (with many
scale-like lobes), often seen by Cladonia (the Clad lichens) species.
Reproduction
Since lichens do not have flowers and produce seeds, how then do they reproduce? This is not an easy
question to answer, because lichens form a relationship between two or more components, a fungus and
a green, or blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), and sexual reproduction becomes somewhat complicated.
The algae as well as the fungus can reproduce individually, but to form a recognizable lichen, they must
come together, that is to say, that a viable fungal spore must unite with the appropriate algal spore to
initiate a new lichen, providing the right substrata and habitat exists.
3
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If we carefully examine the upper surface of a lichen, we might discover three important structures for
sexual or vegetative reproduction. The largest of them would be the fruiting body in which the viable
spores are formed. Two smaller, but nonetheless important, are the vegetative powdery or hard-bodied
peg-like structures. Each of these are miniature lichens, having the necessary components (algae and
fungus) and able to start an independent life upon a suitable substratum. A much simpler way of
propagation is by fragmentation, whereby parts of a lichen containing both the algae and fungus, finds a
new location and starts growing.
Colour
Lichens show an amazing variety of colour, from nearly white to shades of gray or brown, to brilliant
red, orange or yellow. The most vivid colours usually to be seen on rocks or tree bark in open, sunny
locations. Lichen colour therefore is thought to be of importance in regulating temperature, since certain
colours scatter or reflect sunrays protecting the sensitive algae layer, and keeping the lichen body cooler.
(Brodo et al. 2001). The majority of lichens in the boreal forest where ultraviolet rays are not much of a
problem, are more subdued in colour.
Physiology
Lichens are a very special kind of plant; composed of a physical association of two or more dissimilar
organisms: a fungus and either a green or blue-green (cyonobacterium) alga. The interesting part is that
either one of them by itself could not survive under the harsh conditions some lichens grow in. This
association is also beneficial to the lichen itself, in that the algae are the photosynthetic component; able
to utilize sunlight to manufacture carbohydrates. The fungus lacking a green pigmentation is unable to
do so; instead gives shelter to these delicate algal cells by surrounding them with fungal strands, and
partly utilizing the algal cell to obtain some of the carbohydrates for its own metabolism. The fungal
part is infact somewhat parasitic. The fungal strands also give structure to the lichen body, and it is
interesting to know that while the algae have their own scientific names, the name given to the lichen
(body) is that of the fungus.
Lichens can survive in extremes of temperatures, by going dormant, entering a dry state. Upon
receiving moisture, they will resume their normal processes. Since lichens do not have true roots nor a
vascular system, they are able to absorb moisture directly into their body, utilizing the dissolved
minerals. However, should a toxic element be present in sufficient quantities or absorbed over a period
of time, the algal cells will be affected and eventually the delicate balance between the lichen
components will break down. This results in the death of the lichen. Lichens can thus play an important
role in assessing ecosystem health. For this reason lichens species such as the Pelt or dog lichens
(Peltigera) or Beard lichens (Usnea) which have a large surface area, are recognized as valuable low
cost environmental monitors.
What Lichen Grow On
Every living organism needs a place to attach itself to, and lichens are no exception to this; they can be
found on a variety of surfaces, from organic to inorganic. Some lichen species are more particular to
one kind of surface, while others are more tolerant. Three main characteristics of substrata must be met:
texture, porosity, and chemistry.
4
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Lichen Studies
Previous scientific lichen studies in the park were made by de Vries and Bird (1998), and the Forest
Ecosystem Classification Survey (2000). Further ongoing lichen surveys are done by de Vries.
However, no informative lichen field guide exists for Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, and this guide
is the first of its kind.
To study lichens in the field, you need a small 10x magnifier, a small water bottle (to wet-dry lichens to
observe possible colour changes) a note book and pens/pencils, a small plastic ruler, your lichen guide
and any other recommended field books.
Protection
All plants in a Provincial Park are protected including lichens, and can only be collected for scientific
study under a special Scientific Collection Permit, granted to professional lichenologists or academics.
These researchers must submit duplicates and an annotated list of species collected to the Park’s
Naturalist.
Lichens are notoriously slow growers, and an entire population can be destroyed by careless collecting,
and it is best to leave collecting of lichens to specialists who have the proper facilities for storing and
studying samples.
Several uncommon, including some rare lichens, occur in the park. One of them Letharia vulpina (Wolf
lichen) does in the park at higher altitudes, and should not be collected.
Location of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
5
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Bryoria simplicior
(Vainio) brodo & D. Hawksw.
Spangled horsehair,
simple horsehair
Synonym(s): Alectoria simplicior (Vainio)
Lynge
Where Found: In marginal Lodgepole Pine
forest on bark. Also on White Spruce.
Occurrence: Scattered, but not uncommon.
Geographic Distribution: Across the
Lodgepole Pine forests in the park.
Circumpolar.
Growth Form: Pendent
Description: When you notice small, rather
dense or slightly long brownish black to
black tufts, with dull or slightly shiny
branches, and many tiny round to oval white
to greenish-white clusters of powdery
vegetative structures speckled with greenishblack flecks on the bark of Lodgepole Pine,
you discovered this lichen.
Other
characteristics are that the branch tips are
thinner than the main branches, straight or
slightly curved, and at times attached to the
substrate, as well as at the base. Branches
form acute angles; powdery vegetative
structures are sharply delimited, round to
oval, becoming crater-like upon shedding of
these vegetative structures. There are no
minute spines mixed with these powdery
structures, and fruiting bodies are absent.
6
Comments: This lichen is often intermixed
with other horsehair lichens, especially
Bryoria fuscescens (Speckled horsehair).
However the latter has dark medium brown
branches which are even in width and the
powdery structures appear as tiny white
flecks. Bryoria furcelata (Burned horsehairlichen) can also be confused with Spangled
horsehair, but has short pointy side branches
and spiny bodies with a hard outer covering
mixed with the powdery vegetative
structures.
These lichens are often
entangled with Usnea species (Beard
lichens). The tiny hair-like branches of
Bryoria resemble horsehair in texture, hence
the common name. The specific name
fuscescens is based on the Latin ‘fuscus’
meaning dark brown, possibly referring to
the brown colour of the lichen, which tends
to intensify in sunny locations.
A pdf version of this document can be found at http://www.biodiversity.sk.ca/ftp.htm
Cetraria ericetorum
Opiz
Iceland moss,
Iceland lichen
Synonym(s): None
Where Found: On the ground in marginal
open Lodgepole Pine forest.
Occurrence: Quite common.
Geographic Distribution: Throughout the
park, and northern boreal forests.
Circumpolar boreal and arctic-alpine.
Growth Form: Erect foliose.
Description: This small, often tufted lichen
has narrow, smooth, dark olive brown to
reddish or dark brown shiny lobes with
partly back turned tips.
Spine-like
projections and long white lines occurring
along the margins, which are often fused
when edges touch, forming a channel. The
lower surface is paler than the upper surface.
Fruiting bodies with incurved margins and
smooth, reddish brown disks are seldom
formed at the tips of slightly enlarged lobes.
7
Comments: Cetraria ericetorum is related
to Cetraria islandica (Icelandmoss), but the
former has thin white lines along the narrow
lobe margins, while Cetraria islandica has
scattered dotted white spots on the wider
lobe surface.
Species of Cetraria
ericetorum which show conspicuous ridges
and pits on the upper surface, are the
subspecies: reticulata (Räsänen) Kärnefelt .
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Cladina mitis
(Sandst.) Hustich
Yellow reindeer lichen,
green reindeer lichen
Synonym(s) Cladina arbuscula (Wallr.)
Hale & W.L. Culb. ssp. mitis (Sandst.)
Burgaz, Cladonia arbuscula ssp. mitis
(Sandst.) Ross, Cladonia mitis Sandst.
Where Found: Open marginal Lodgepole
Pine forest on sandy soil or on needle cover.
Occurrence: Quite common.
Geographic Distribution: Throughout the
Park, and wide spread across the boreal
forest. Arctic to temperate circumpolar.
Growth Form: Shrub-like.
Description: This upright yellowish-green
lichen has mainly open axils, showing an
intricate branching from a main stem; it is
not fork-branching from the base as seen in
other Reindeer lichens.
Branches are
hollow, dull, lacking an outer surface,
appearing cottony, or have minute warts,
especially upon aging. The open crown has
numerous divergent branches in groups of
3’s or rarely in 4’s with sterile branches
ending in 2-5 points, which are more or less
curved into one direction, or showing
unequal spreading.
The small, brown
fruiting bodies are singly or in flat-topped
clusters at branch-tips.
8
Comments: Cladina arbuscula (Greater
reindeer lichen) is similar and closely related
to yellow reindeer lichen, and regarded by
some lichenologists as a subspecies, with
which it tends to intergrade throughout its
range. However, there are some differences
between the two species, greater reindeer
lichen is copiously and coarsely branched
from the base, and the tips curved into one
direction. Yellow reindeer lichen is often
associated with Cladina rangiferina (Gray
reindeer lichen). Reindeer lichens are an
important winter nutrient for large
ungulates, especially in northern boreal
forests.
A pdf version of this document can be found at http://www.biodiversity.sk.ca/ftp.htm
Evernia mesomorpha
Nyl
Boreal oakmoss,
spruce moss
Synonym(s): None
Where Found: On trunks of Lodgepole
Pine, and hardwoods in sunny locations.
Occurrence: Frequent.
Geographic Distribution: Throughout the
park. Circumpolar boreal and temperate.
Growth Form: Pendent or in shrubby tufts.
Description: This yellowish green semi
pendent or tufted lichen, has irregularly
thick, abundantly divided, angular, and
longitudinally wrinkled to partly flattened,
soft and pliable branches. Abundant coarse
masses of yellowish to grayish vegetative
structures occur on the angular ridges. No
fruiting bodies are present. The inner fungal
layer is white and loose.
9
Comments:
Boreal oakmoss is often
confused with Usnea species (Beard lichen)
with which it often grows, because of
similarity in colour. However, the latter has
a solid central fungal cord, which is lacking
in boreal oak moss. Another lichen boreal
oak moss can be mistaken for is Ramalina
dilacerata (Punctured ramalina), which
although similar in habit and colour, has
flattened branches, and does not have a
central cord nor vegetative structures. The
genus name Evernia apparently alludes to
the Greek ’ growing well’ , but could also
reflect on its abundance in the boreal forest.
Oakmoss lichens are notoriously slow
growers, a few mm yearly, and are more
tolerant to air pollution than beard lichens.
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Hypogymnia physodes
(L.) Nyl.
Monk’s-hood
lichen, hooded tube
lichen
Synonym(s): Parmelia physodes (L.) Ach.
Where Found: On Lodgepole Pine, various
deciduous trees or tall shrubs. Uncommon
on soil, moss or rocks.
Occurrence: Frequent.
Geographic Distribution: Widespread
across the Park, and occasionally reaching
into the northern Aspen Parkland Ecoregion
in the Prairie Ecozone.
Growth Form: Leaf-like.
Monk’ s-hood lichen is
Description:
variable in form, usually forming flattened
or somewhat erect closely attached, gray to
blue-gray, long or short smooth lobes which
are often irregular branched at the tips.
Lobe tips are hollow, usually inflated, and
hood-like, producing pale green powdery
vegetative granules on the inside. The lower
surface is wrinkled, black, lacking
attachment outgrowths. The fungal layer is
white, and fruiting bodies are rare.
10
Comments: This common tree lichen could
be confused with Hypogymnia tubulosa
(Powder-headed tube lichen). However, this
lichen lacks the upturned hood-like lobe
tips, characteristic for Monk’ s-hood lichen.
The latter is also quite tolerant to sulphur
dioxide and can be found in close proximity
to relatively polluted areas, and could be
considered being an atmospheric indicator.
It has been reported as a food or medicine
and brown dye for woolens. Powder-headed
tube lichen has yet to be reported for the
Park.
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Melanelia exasperatula
(Nyl.) Essl.
Lustrous brown,
lustrous camouflage
lichen, wart lichen
Synonym(s): Parmelia exasperatula Nyl.
Where Found: In open Lodgepole Pine
forests on bark of coniferous as well as
deciduous trees.
Occurrence: Quite common.
Geographic Distribution:
Widespread
throughout the Park and boreal forest.
Rarely found in the northern aspen parkland
ecoregion. Circumpolar.
Growth Form: Leaf-like.
Comments: The species name exasperatula
refers to the Latin exasperatus roughly
meaning ‘roughened with many prickles‘,
possible referring to the many club-shaped
structures on its upper surface. It takes a
keen eye to spot this unique lichen with its
many club-shaped or barrel-like structures,
as its colour blends well with the dark bark
upon which it growth.
Description: Lustrous brown has closely
attached, often oily shiny and centrally dull,
olive-green to olive-brown, smooth, flat to
slightly wrinkled lobes, which are
sometimes raised at the tips, or reflected at
the margins. No powdery or granular
vegetative structures are present; instead
small bumps on the upper surface enlarge
into inflated, hollow, shiny, club shaped or
barrel-shaped structures, with simple or
occasionally forked tips, which are
miniature vegetative structures. The lower
side is tan to dark brown, having many
attachment structures. Fruiting bodies are
very uncommon.
11
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Parmelia sulcata
Taylor
Hammered shield
lichen, powdered
shield,
wax paper lichen
Synonym(s): None
Where Found Mainly in open marginal Lodgepole
Pine forest on bark or as forest litter. Also found on
White Spruce and various deciduous trees or large
shrubs.
Occurrence: Frequent.
Geographic Distribution Throughout the Centre
and West Blocks of the Park, and across the boreal
forest, extending south into the Aspen Parkland
Ecoregion in the Prairie Ecozone. Circumpolar.
Growth Form: Leaf-like.
Description: Hammered shield lichen has blue
or ashy gray, lobes, becoming almost brown in
open locations, but becoming a light green
when moistened. The lobes are elongated with
entire or notched margins, with a network of
sharp raised ridges and depressions with
numerous small white dots caused by breaks in
the upper surface, showing white fungal strands
breaking through on the surface. Round or
elongate powdery vegetative structures can
often be seen along these ridges or on lobe
margins.
The underside is black, with
numerous simple attachment structures, which
become branched upon maturity.
Fruiting
bodies are rare, but occasionally produced
directly or on short stalks upon the upper
surface; margins entire, or occasionally with
small powdery vegetative structures. The disks
are flat and dull brown.
12
Comments: Hammered shield lichen often
growth in association with other lichens, and as
a pioneer species in suburban parks on a variety
of trees. The lichen yields a deep brown to dark
tan or sometimes a golden or rusty brown hue to
dying wool. Hummingbirds often use this lichen
as nesting material for camouflage. The species
name sulcata comes from the Latin sulcatus ‘to
furrow’ pertaining to the furrowed network on
the lichen’ s upper surface. Parmelia saxatilis
(Rock lichen) can be confused with hammered
shield lichen, as it is similar coloured and found
in the same habitat. However, rock lichen as
the name implies, grows on rock, rarely on tree
bark or wood, and has tiny club-shaped
outgrowth on the upper surface. The specific
name saxatilis refers to the Latin saxum ‘a rock’
referring to the species being an inhabitant of
rocks or among rocks.
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Peltigera preatextata
(Flörke ex Sommerf.) Zopf
Scale dog lichen,
rough dog lichen,
born-again pelt
Synonym(s): Peltigera canina var.
rufescens f. innovans (Körber) J.W.
Thomson, Peltigera canina f. innovans
(Körber) J.W. Thomson
Where Found:
In open, marginal
Lodgepole Pine forest on needle cover,
decaying logs, or sheltered road shoulders
among mosses.
Occurrence: Frequent, but scattered
Geographic: Throughout the Park.
Circumpolar.
Comments: Scale dog-lichen can resemble
other dog-lichens, especially Peltigera
canina (Dog-lichen). However, in scale
dog-lichen the more discrete veins are less
raised; never joining at the base as in doglichen, which lacks stress cracks and
regeneration bodies.
Growth Form: Leaf-like.
Description: The upper surface of scale
dog-lichen has smooth, dull gray, greenish
brown to brown, more or less wavy lobes
which tend to become crisp upon aging, and
with a thin wooly covering on the lobe tips.
Minute small flat regeneration bodies can
develop along stress cracks and margins.
The pale undersurface has a network of
slightly raised light brown to brown veins,
becoming darker towards the center, and
with simple rather long thread-like
outgrowth. Fruiting bodies are uncommon.
13
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Peltigera rufescens
(Weiss) Humb.
Field dog lichen,
felt pelt
Synonym(s): Peltigera canina (L.) Willd.
variety rufescens (Weis.) Mudd.
Where Found:
On needle cover in
marginal Lodgepole Pine Forest, or along
roadside shoulders on dry gravelly soil.
Occurrence: Frequent, but scattered.
Geographic:
Throughout the Park in
Lodgepole Pine forests. The species is also
common in the boreal forest. Circumpolar.
Growth Form: Leaf-like.
Description: This lichen has medium sized
gray to brown crisped lobes, with strongly
upturned margins, usually covered with a
heavy appressed covering of fine white hairs
on the upper surface. The underside has
distinct raised veins with pale margins, but
tending to become darker inwards. The
attachment structures are thick tufts of
fungal strands, coalesce towards the centre
into an almost continuous mat, especially
noticeable along the veins. The common
dark-red brown fruiting bodies are saddleshaped on upright lobes.
14
Comments: Although Field dog-lichen
resembles Peltigera canina (Dog lichen photo insert), the relationship between these
is somewhat controversial. Dog lichen has
large, undulating, lobes, usually turned
down marginally, and the upper surface is
conspicuously covered with fine fuzzy hairs,
especially near the tips. However, the
differences between the two species could
also be environmentally; Peltigera canina
can be found on sandy soil in open
woodlands and forests, while Peltigera
rufescens occurs mostly on exposed and
drier locations, especially along roadsides.
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Physcia aipolia
(Ehrh. ex Humb.) Fürnr.
Hoary rosette
lichen, grey-eyed
rosette
Synonym(s): None
Where Found:
On trunks and large
branches of Lodgepole Pine, White Spruce,
deciduous trees especially Aspen, Balsam
Poplar, and various tall shrubs.
Occurrence: Frequent
Geographic: Throughout the Center Block
and West Block. Also in the boreal forest
and Aspen Parkland Ecoregion in the Prairie
Ecozone. Circumpolar.
Growth Form: Leaf-like.
Description: Hoary rosette lichen forms
pale to dark gray closely appressed rosettes,
with flat narrow radiating, lobes, which are
conspicuously white spotted on the upper
surface, with somewhat saucer-shaped or
upturned tips. Vegetative structures are
absent, but dark brown fruiting bodies with
frosted disks are common towards the
centre. The lower surface is tan with many
pale attachment bodies.
15
Comments: Physcia stellaris (Star rosette)
also a tree-dwelling species, can be confused
with hoary rosette lichen. Both have the
same colour and similar growth form, but
star rosette lacks such mall white spots, and
its lobes are mostly flat. The species too,
tends to grow higher on tree branches, while
hoary rosette lichens usually is found on
bark nearer tree bases. The specific name
stellaris is from the Latin stella ’star’
refering to the general roundish body shape.
A pdf version of this document can be found at http://www.biodiversity.sk.ca/ftp.htm
Stereocaulon tomentosum
Fr.
Woolly coral,
woolly foam,eyed
foam
Synonym(s): Stereocaulon tomentosum Fr.
var. alpestre Flotow
Where Found: In marginal, open
Lodgepole Pine forest on needle cover.
Occurrence: Infrequent; more or less
scattered.
Geographic: Throughout Lodgepole Pine
forests in the Park. Wide spread in the
boreal forest.
Circumpolar, borealmontane.
Growth Form: Erect shrub-like.
Description: This conspicuously ashy to
silvery-blue gray, lichen has many common
names referring to its ‘coral-like’ form and
woolly coating. The many erect, often
clumped stalks have many distinct re-curved
solid branches, with an upper and lower
surface. The upper surface has tiny gray,
flattened and overlapping minute scale-like
lobed outgrowth, with shallow toothed
margins. Small gall-like growth containing
the blue-green alga Nostoc, are imbedded in
these scale-like lobes; the lower surface is
coated with clumps of thick woolly hairs.
Numerous, small fruiting bodies with
rounded, red-brown discs and pale margins
occur on lateral branches.
16
Comments: Woolly coral can be confused
with Stereocaulon paschale (Common
coral). However, there are characteristic
differences between these species. In woolly
coral the fruiting bodies are numerous,
small, laterally appressed, convex, and the
minute scale-like lobes are attached to the
stems, which have a clearly defined upper
and lower surface; the latter with a hair-like
mat. Common coral has a thinner or nearly
absent woolly covering; small scale-like
clusters of granular protuberances, which are
somewhat elongated or almost coral-like,
but seldom becoming finger-like lobed.
Small, dark brown, fibrous, irregular, galllike outgrowth are noticeable on the
branches. The few fruiting bodies are
terminal, larger and flatter. Both species
share the same geographic distribution.
Stereocaulon comes from the Greek stereos
‘hard or firm’ , and kaulos ‘a stem’ , referring
to the solid stems of the species. The
species name tomentosum refers to the Latin
tomentum ‘stuffing of hair or wool’ ,
pertaining to the woolly underside.
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Usnea substerilis
Mot.
Embossed beard
Synonym(s): Usnea stuppea (Räsänen)
Mot.
Where Found:
In open marginal
Lodgepole Pine forest and occasionally on
deciduous trees.
Occurrence: Frequent.
Geographic: Throughout the Centre Block
as well as the West Block. Also found
across the boreal forest.
Circumpolar
boreal.
Growth Form: Pendent.
Description: Embossed beard is a rather
small, usually 25mm long and wide,
greenish or straw-yellow coloured, erect,
pendent species. The main stem has many
rather
tufted
non-inflated
branches,
distinctly covered with cylindrical bumps,
which are lacking on the branches, and has a
narrow basal dark zone. Branches are
smooth, appearing at right angles to the
main stem, bearing copious small, raised
vegetative structures, containing a very fine
whitish powdery substance in localized
masses, and often mixed with easily
detached peg-like structures.
Fruiting
bodies are absent.
17
Comments: This lichen can be confused with
Usnea lapponica (Powdered beard lichen) and
Usnea subfloridana (Nit beard lichen). Both
are similar in colour and growth form.
However powdered beard lichen has branches
densely covered with small bumps, and
powdered vegetative structures, which at times
are deeply excavate, encircling the branches, or
reaching into the inner fungal layer and forming
eroding rings; peg-like bodies are absent. Nit
beard lichen has clusters of peg-like structures,
which are not always obvious. All beard
lichens have usnic-acid, which has widespread
application as an antibiotic, e.g. streptomycin,
used for treating tuberculosis. Among these
beard lichens, one can find Bryoria simplicior
(Spangled horsehair) or Bryoria fuscescens
(Pale-footed horsehair). These lichens are
darker than the beard lichens, and both are short
pendent.
Pale-footed horsehair has small,
white, powdery vegetative structures and
occasionally spiny side branches, while the
powdery bodies of spangled horsehair are
greenish-white with occasional black flecks,
and branches slightly curved at the tips. Both
species are found infrequently, a 10x
magnifying lens, is needed, to distinguish one
species from the other.
A pdf version of this document can be found at http://www.biodiversity.sk.ca/ftp.htm
Vulpicida pinastri
(Scop.) J.E. Mattsson & M.J. Lai
Powdered sunshine
lichen
Synonym(s): Cetraria pinastri (Scop.) S.
Gray, Tuckermannopsis pinastri (Scop.)
Hale.
Where Found: On Lodgepole Pine or
deciduous tree bark. Also on old wood and
occasionally on tall shrubs or rocks.
Occurrence: Frequent, but scattered.
Geographic: Throughout the Park and
boreal forest.
Circumpolar boreal and
temperate.
Growth Form: Leaf-like.
Description: Powdered sunshine lichen is a
showy forest species with pale greenishyellow to yellow loosely adherent or slightly
upright small lobes, forming rosettes. The
lobes are rounded, overlapping, with ruffled
or divided margins, dissolving into fine
powdery masses of greenish-yellow or
bright lemon-yellow vegetative bodies.
Fruiting bodies are rare and mostly absent.
The lower surface is pale yellow to almost
white, with sparse to abundant pale to dark
brown attachment structures.
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Comments: This showy lichen can be
mistaken for Letharia vulpina (Wolf lichen)
which is a montane species, only found in
the Park. However, wolf lichen is brilliant
yellow, not rosette forming, and more or less
tufted-pendent, with coarse granular
vegetative structures which become
gradually hard-bodied, found on the angular
and ridged branches. This species and
powdered sunshine lichen can be found in
the same habitat. The yellow colour of
powdered sunshine lichen comes from two
poisonous substances, pinastric and vulpinic
acids, thought to be a repellent to grazing
insects or invertebrates. In Europe this
lichen was used to kill wolves and foxes and
indeed the generic name vulpicida comes
from the Latin vulpes ’ Fox’ and cadaere ’ to
kill’ .
A pdf version of this document can be found at http://www.biodiversity.sk.ca/ftp.htm
Xanthoria elegans
(Link) Th. Fr.
Elegant sunburst
lichen, elegant
orange lichen, rock
orange lichen
Synonym(s): Caloplaca elegans (Link) Th.
Fr.
Where Found: On conglomerate rock and
other rock types in open areas. Periodically
found on wood or bone.
Occurrence: Frequent locally.
Geographic:
A cosmopolitan species.
Cicumpolar. Arctic to temperate.
Growth Form: Leaf-like.
Description: Elegant sunburst lichen is a
showy species, forming almost circular
patches, with radiating, irregular branched,
pale yellowish orange to dark red-orange
lobes. The lobes are closely attached,
rounded, and narrow, lacking vegetative
structures. The lower protective surface is
white without attachment bodies. Fruiting
bodies are sessile or slightly stalked, yellow
to orange, with flat or convex discs the same
colour as the lichen body.
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Comments: Elegant sunburst lichen can
resemble Caloplaca saxicola (Smooth
firedot lichen) and Caloplaca trachyphylla
(Desert firedot lichen), in colour and growth
habit. However elegant sunburst lichen has
a lower protective surface, and can be lifted
intact from its substratum, while the
Caloplaca species lack such surface, and
can not be lifted without damage to it.
Elegant sunburst lichen has been used to
date surfaces by measuring its growth rate,
which is extremely slow; averaging a few
mm per year. Elegant sunburst lichen can
often be found among the equally slow
growing afore mentioned firedot lichens,
which also can be found on the
conglomerate outcrop on the West Block of
the Park.
A pdf version of this document can be found at http://www.biodiversity.sk.ca/ftp.htm
LITERATURE CITED
Brodo, I.M., S.D. Sharnoff, and S. Sharnoff. 2001.Lichens of North America. Yale University Press, New
Haven, U.S.A.
de Vries, B. and C.D.Bird.1998 Lichen list from Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Saskatchewan. Typewritten
report. Unpublished.
Forest Ecosystem Classification Survey. 2000.Lichen of Cypress hills Interprovincial Park, Saskatchewan.
Series # 3 & 4.163 species. Computerized unpublished report.
Johnson, D.L., Kershaw, A. MacKinnon, and J.Pojar, with contributions from T. Goward and D. Vitt. 1995.
Plants of the Western Boreal Forest and Aspen Parkland. Lone Pine. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada*
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A pdf version of this document can be found at http://www.biodiversity.sk.ca/ftp.htm
GENERAL REFERENCES
The following technical books and manuals were consulted for lichen identification, common names,
distribution and general information.
Goward, T.B., B. McCune, and D. Meidinger. 1994. The Lichens of British Columbia. Illustrated keys. Part 1Foliose & Squamulose Species. Ministry of Forests Research Program, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
(excellent source for common names).
Goward, T. 1999. The Lichens of British Columbia. Illustrated keys. Part 2-Fruticose Species. Ministry of
Forests research program, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (excellent source for common names).
Thomson, J.W. 1994. American Arctic Lichens 1-The Macrolichens. Columbia University Press, New York,
U.S.A.
Thomson, J.W. 1997. American Arctic Lichens 2-The Microlichens. The University of Wisconsin Press,
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Vitt, D.H., E. Marsh, and R.B. Bovey. 1988. Mosses, Lichens & ferns of Northwest North America. Lone Pine,
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada*
Note: Those marked * are recommended easy to use field books for the beginner.
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A pdf version of this document can be found at http://www.biodiversity.sk.ca/ftp.htm
GLOSSARY
A group marked by common characteristics genus
A small scale-like lobe squamule
A felt-like covering of fine hairs tomentum
A network of sharp ridges and shallow depressions reticulate
An oval gaping slit fissural
As tufts, pendent, shrub-like, erect, or with unbranched stems fruticose
Attachment structures rhizines
Basis evolutionary unit of an organism species
Broken up into small angular bodies areaolate
Cell division meiosis
Central stout attachment structure holdfast
Circular orbicular
Closely attached adnate
Cottony, downy or woolly tomentose
Cylindrical bumps as seen in Usnea papillae
Flattened and closely attached appressed
Flat-topped clusters corymb
Forming crusts crustose
Fruiting bodies apothecia
Fruiting Stem podetia
Gaping split, often resembling an oval or fusiform shape fissural
Growing on bark corticulous
Growing on soil terricolous
Growing on trees arboreal
Growing on rock saxicolous
Growing on old wood lignicolous
Hair-like filamentous
Hair-like attachment bodies rhizines
Hair-like fungal strands hyphae
Indicators of environmental conditions bioindicators
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Inner fungal strand or layer medulla
Leaf-like foliose
Lichen body thallus
Living on the surface of a plant epiphytic
Minute flattened bodies platelets
Minute spines spinules
Minute scale-like lobes found in Stereocaulon phyllocladia
Narrow tapering at both ends fusiform
Photosynthetic component of a lichen photobiont
Pointed acute
Relationship between a fungus and algal cells symbiosis
Sac-like structures containing spores asci
Small lateral growth on cup margins proliferation
Small powdery or granular vegetative bodies soredia
Small scale-like body squamule
Small scale-like lobes squamulose
Small gall-like growth containing blue-green algal cells found in Stereocaulon cephalodia
Spotted or blotched with short or long white lines maculate
The surface upon which a lichen grows substrate
Thumb-shaped or peg-like bodies with a hard outer covering isidia
Tiny hair-like filamentous
Turned back reflexed
Unification of a fertile fungal spore with an appropriate algal cell lichenization
Upper and lower protective surface cortex
Vegatative lichen body thallus
Vegetative peg-like outgrowth isidia
Vegetative powdery or granular structures or bodiess soredia
Vegetative structures for propagation propagules
With a covering of fine hairs tomentum
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We like to thank those who helped and encouraged to produce this guide. Special thanks are due to Steve Porter
at the Saskatchewan Environment Fish and Wildlife Development Fund for his expertise in preparing the
location map, and computer skills to compile this guide; as well as Dianna Graves from the Saskatchewan
Conservation Data Centre for editing the manuscript. We are also indebted to Brad Mason Manager-Southwest
Park Area and Melody Nagel-Hissey Park Area Naturalist, who encouraged writing this guide as a valuable
interpretive tool. for the Park‘s interpretive program and general use for the visiting public to bring a greater
awareness of these valuable forest species. The project was funded by Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park,
Saskatchewan. Last, but not least, thanks are due to my wife and co-author for her continued support, love of
nature and valued help in field work, which was greatly appreciated.
Lichen Skills Ratings – how many did you identify?
1-5
Fair
6-10 Good
10-14 Excellent - You are becoming a lichen expert
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A pdf version of this document can be found at http://www.biodiversity.sk.ca/ftp.htm